The world is shifting, and Sammy
has complete control. But as hidden truths surface, she starts to doubt
everyone who is close to her. The Ancients and Kory have been harboring dark
secrets, and it could mean war between the Dragon Fae and the Irukas. With the
Defenders as her devoted soldiers, Sam must make some difficult decisions.
Should she save the world… or save herself?

Blake won’t give up on Sam. He
knows he can’t trust Tonbo anymore, or the web of lies he’s been thrown into.
If he hopes to save Sam, he must find the real reason Kory created the bug
army. Turns out there could be something far worse than bloodthirsty bugs
buriedon the islands, and Blake will have to fight his own inner demons if he
wants to save those he loves—including Sam.

In a world filled with mistrust
and lies, Blake and Sam must unearth the truth and face their own fears and
weaknesses. If they don’t, their lives—and the fate of all humanity—will hang
in the balance.

Rounding
a corner, I flew right into a pair of bright aqua eyes. I knew those eyes, and
the recognition felt like a slap to my face. I halted, not just to avoid
collision but because of absolute shock.

Impossible. How’s he here?

“Blake,”
Mack gasped.

I
remained stunned, still hovering inches from his face. Where were all the
Defenders? How did he just waltz in? Why wasn’t he bound? I couldn’t process
what I was seeing.

Trying
to recompose myself in those milliseconds we both remained in a locked gaze, it
dawned on me that Jaxon had not rushed his brother. I only heard heavy
breathing behind me, and I wanted desperately to turn around to see what Jaxon
was doing. Was he preparing for an attack, or was he awaiting my command?

I
didn’t move. I couldn’t. It was like my bedroom all over again, when I’d found
myself moving toward him, longing to be near him against my will. Only this
time, it was worse. He was too close, the magnetic pull reinforced by his
nearness. I felt helpless against it, which panicked me more.

He
didn’t say anything, his eyes raking my face, searching for Sam.But
I’m not Sam, I wanted to shout, though I didn’t. I just kept on
gazing into his eyes like a dunce.

You’ve got to be joking, Sam.I heard and felt nothing.I know you’re here. You must be, because I’m freaking
stuck in place.

Again,
there was nothing to betray her presence until I did the unthinkable. I closed
the gap and kissed Blake.

I
kissed him like my life depended on it, like I couldn’t get enough of his
mouth, like he was the only person in the room, never mind the others’ audible
gasps. I wrapped my hands around the back of his neck, pulling him to me. Blake
seemed just as shocked as I was by my actions. He stiffened at my touch,
groaned under my lips, and then, before I could feel remorse, pulled back from
me as fast as I’d come at him, untangling himself from my embrace.

There
were those eyes again, probing my face, questions forming but not spoken.

Born in Dekalb, Illinois, Amanda
Strong has called Utah, Arizona, Hawaii, Virginia, and now New Mexico home. She
has loved to spin tales since childhood. It was not uncommon to find her hiding
in some random corner, scribbling away in her spiral-bound notebook, with her
bright pink glasses. You could say some things have not changed.

Amanda signed with Clean Teen
Publishing in the fall of 2013. She is the author of two paranormal, YA series:
The Watchers of Men and Monsters Among Us.

The first novel in The Watchers
of Men series, The Awakener, debuted in October of 2013. It has been an Amazon
number one best seller in three Young Adult categories. Book two, The Holy and
The Fallen, released May 12th of 2015. She is currently working on book three,
The Watcher’s Mark, releasing spring of 2016.

Hidden Monster released November
4th of 2014, and it finished as a Finalist in the 2014 USA Best Book Award:
Young Adult Category. It is book one of a brand-new young adult, sci-fi
thriller series called Monsters Among Us.

When Amanda isn't writing, you
can find her chasing her three rambunctious children around the house and
spending time with her wonderful and supportive husband. On some occasions, you
can still find Amanda with her not-so-pink glasses, hiding in a corner reading
her favorite young adult fantasy novels or working out only to blow her diet by
eating ice cream. See more at:
www.authoramandastrong.com

I have read one book thus far and the review
Always Too Late (Micalea Smeltzer) is part of A Love for Romance Anthology but also a novella for the Willow Creek series. Taylor and Gabe have been friends for years. She has been his secret...